Understanding the Music Business

by Weissman; Richard

• ISBN13: 9780132423137
• ISBN10: 0132423138
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2009-09-22
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Understanding the Music Businessoffers a current overview of the music business. Going beyond what most music business books offer, Weismann delivers a contemporary approach that addresses the unanswered questions for todayrs"s emerging music talent , such as, "Is it really possible to make a living as musician?" Understanding the Music Businesscovers the basics in the first part of the text. This first section deals with the fundamentals of the industry, including recording, music publishing, agents, managers, radio and television, unions, the internet and new technology, and regional and international music markets. However, it is the second half of the text that breaks new ground by covering the career paths of new artists in the industry, the development and need for entrepreneurial skills, and the ways that individuals forge careers in the industry.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
About the Author	p. xii
The Music Business and Its Components	p. 1
The Record Industry: A History and General Introduction	p. 3
A Brief History of Recording	p. 3
How Major and Independent Labels are Organized: Business and Creative Functions	p. 9
Terms to Know	p. 14
For Class Discussion	p. 14
Record Distribution and Promotion	p. 15
Record Distribution	p. 15
Digital Distribution	p. 20
Record Promotion	p. 22
Payola and Other Illegal Promotions	p. 27
Terms to Know	p. 31
For Class Discussion	p. 31
Record Deals	p. 32
How Artists Get Record Deals	p. 32
TV Placements and Commercials	p. 38
Recording Contracts	p. 38
Why Few Artists Earn Royalties from Records	p. 46
Artist-Owned Labels	p. 49
Financing Your Own Record	p. 49
Piracy, Bootlegging, and File Sharing	p. 53
Terms to Know	p. 54
For Class Discussion	p. 55
Intermediaries: Booking Agents, Personal Managers, and Business Managers	p. 56
Booking Agents	p. 56
Self-Booking	p. 58
The College Market and Block Booking	p. 60
Double Contracts	p. 62
Band Franchises	p. 63
Personal Managers	p. 65
When Does an Act Need a Manager?	p. 66
What Does a Manager Want in an Artist?	p. 68
Pitfalls to Avoid	p. 72
Finding a Manager	p. 74
Business Managers	p. 75
Terms to Know	p. 77
For Class Discussion	p. 78
Talent Unions	p. 79
Background of the Union Movement in the United States	p. 79
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM)	p. 79
AFTRA and SAG	p. 86
Other Talent Unions	p. 87
The Outlook for Entertainment Unions	p. 87
Terms to Know	p. 89
For Class Discussion	p. 90
Copyright and Performance Rights	p. 91
Copyright	p. 91
Infringement	p. 94
Performance Rights Organizations: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC	p. 94
Performance Rights for Artists	p. 99
Publishing and the Songwriter	p. 100
Music Publishers	p. 100
Terms to Know	p. 107
For Class Discussion	p. 107
Music Publishing	p. 108
Publishing Rights	p. 108
Mechanicals	p. 109
Printed Music	p. 111
Print Publishers	p. 113
Synchronization Rights	p. 116
Grand Rights	p. 122
The Outlook for Music Publishing	p. 124
Terms to Know	p. 125
For Class Discussion	p. 125
Regional Music Markets	p. 126
The Rise and Fall of Regional Scenes	p. 126
Nashville, Tennessee: Country Music U.S.A	p. 130
Little Labels that Could: The Memphis Story	p. 132
Rap-a-Lot: Atlanta	p. 136
Alternative Scenes	p. 136
Specialized Scenes	p. 141
Studio Dispersion and Regional Scenes	p. 142
Conclusion	p. 142
Terms to Know	p. 143
For Class Discussion	p. 143
Specialized Musical Styles	p. 144
Classical Music	p. 144
Jazz	p. 153
Contemporary Christian Music	p. 155
Latin Music	p. 156
World Music	p. 157
Hip-Hop Music	p. 160
Children's Music	p. 161
Bluegrass, Folk, and Related Music	p. 163
Other Musical Genres	p. 166
Terms to Know	p. 166
For Class Discussion	p. 166
The International Music Markets	p. 167
Similarities and Differences in International Music Markets	p. 169
Role of Government	p. 169
Unions	p. 175
Legal Concerns	p. 176
Immigration	p. 177
Piracy in Emerging Markets	p. 179
Touring	p. 180
Cultural Matters	p. 181
Terms to Know	p. 182
For Classroom Discussion	p. 182
Careers, Entrepreneurship, and the Entertainment Business	p. 183
Music Business Education and Entrepreneurship	p. 185
College Music Programs	p. 185
What Students Should Look for in a Music Business Program	p. 187
Music Business Education in the Twenty-First Century	p. 191
Developing Entrepreneurial Skills	p. 192
Establishing a Business: an Introduction	p. 193
Taxes, Investments, and Savings	p. 195
Long-Term Careers	p. 196
Terms to Know	p. 197
For Class Discussion	p. 198
Songwriting and Composing	p. 199
Song Sharks	p. 199
Contests	p. 201
How Songwriters Get Songs Recorded	p. 201
Collaborations	p. 208
Resources	p. 209
Can a Songwriter Succeed Outside the Major Music Markets?	p. 210
Composing	p. 211
Music Arrangers	p. 214
Terms to Know	p. 215
For Class Discussion	p. 215
Careers in Music Teaching	p. 216
Teaching Individual and Group Lessons	p. 216
Teaching in the School System	p. 218
College Teaching	p. 219
Instructional Books, Videos, and Clinics	p. 224
Terms to Know	p. 227
For Class Discussion	p. 227
Recording Careers	p. 228
Audio Engineering	p. 228
Learning Audio Engineering	p. 229
Operating a Studio	p. 232
Engineering as a Career	p. 237
Session Musicians	p. 239
Record Production	p. 240
Breaking In	p. 241
What Producers Do	p. 242
Production Styles	p. 245
Hip-Hop Producers	p. 248
A&R (Artist and Repertoire)	p. 249
Producer Compensation	p. 250
Producers and Gender and Race Discrimination	p. 251
Producer Managers	p. 252
Signing a Record Deal with a Producer	p. 252
Terms to Know	p. 253
For Class Discussion	p. 253
Concert Promotion	p. 254
The Concert Promotion Business	p. 254
The Role of the Promoter	p. 255
Promoting Non-Traditional Concerts	p. 264
Terms to Know	p. 271
For Class Discussion	p. 272
Music Merchandising	p. 273
Record Stores	p. 273
Home Computers and the Growth of Digital Media	p. 278
The Music Products Industry	p. 285
Music Retailers	p. 287
Exporting Musical Products	p. 298
Trade Shows	p. 299
Terms to Know	p. 302
For Class Discussion	p. 302
Individual Entrepreneurship	p. 303
Randall Williams: Musician/Explorer	p. 304
Mary Kadderly: Vocalist, Jazz Singer, and Actress	p. 305
Noah Peterson: Jazz with an Open Mind	p. 306
Michael Kearsey: Multitalented Bass Player	p. 306
Chris Daniels: Band Leader, Producer, and College Professor	p. 307
Mary Flower: Teacher/Performer	p. 308
Otis Taylor: Bluesman	p. 310
Misty River: The Power of Four	p. 311
Conclusion	p. 312
Terms to Know	p. 313
For Class Discussion	p. 313
The Future	p. 314
Brave New World	p. 314
Other Career Opportunities	p. 315
Grants	p. 316
Putting a Career Together	p. 318
Terms to Know	p. 318
For Class Discussion	p. 318
Appendix	p. 319
Glossary	p. 330
Index	p. 337
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